There was a lot of energy and excitement among students at Foothills Elementary School as they gathered for a very important assembly about being kind to one another. Motivational speaker and All-American Wrestler Ben Kjar shared his story about overcoming challenges brought on by something he was born with called Crouzon Syndrome, which is a cranial facial anomaly. Kjar told students he struggled for a long time because of the unkind comments people made about him looking different. However, he said when he decided to combat criticism with kindness, it changed his life.

Kjar told students they can overcome any challenge in life by leading, defying the odds and stepping up to be kind. The Rock Band ‘Pour House’ also joined the assembly sharing their own stories about how small acts of kindness impacted their lives. The band then rocked the house to the delight of students and staff.

Keep the kindness going strong at Foothills Elementary!

It was a lesson in the legislative process that some 5th grade students from South Jordan Elementary School won’t soon forget. Students in Diane Witt-Roper’s class received a personal invitation from State Representative Susan Pulsipher to have a private tour of the Capitol. Jordan Board of Education President Tracy Miller joined the class at the Capitol as well.

The students experienced what it is like to sit in the Senate chamber where they learned about how our State government operates and how to present a bill.  After lunch, the students were invited to sit in the State House of Representative’s seats where they held their own mock session.  During the mock session, they presented, debated, and voted on bills such as; eliminating pizza in school lunch, requiring schools in Utah to start at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., requiring children under the age of 18 to obtain a permit before they can use social media, and honoring the Utah Jazz for all they do for the State of Utah.

It was a great opportunity for the young students to better understand what goes into passing a bill in the legislature. Thanks to Representative Pulsipher and everyone involved in this hands-on legislative lesson!